The translucent liquid filled the cup, releasing a deep, intoxicating fragrance. Wei Honglian frowned slightly.
"Why did you stop pouring?"
"Take what you're given and drink it. Be grateful I’m even pouring for you."
"......"
"Watch this."
Wei Honglian, who had been staring blankly at Seo Ryang, filled his cup to the brim.
Seo Ryang chuckled softly.
"You’re not doing anything childish, are you?"
"It’s a gesture of gratitude."
"Gratitude? For what?"
"......"
"Ah, gratitude for keeping your head attached to your neck?"
"......"
"You’re acting unusually serious."
Seo Ryang emptied his cup in one go, and Wei Honglian followed suit.
Between the two of them, a modest drinking table had been set up. As Seo Ryang had mentioned, she had indeed brought snacks.
Seo Ryang glanced behind him.
Ma Dongpil stood there with his hands behind his back, his face expressionless. His gaze was firmly fixed on Wei Honglian.
"Dongpil, aren’t you drinking?"
"I’m fine."
"If you’re not drinking, why don’t you go inside and rest?"
"I can’t."
"Huh?"
"There’s always a chance the Demon Lord might act up. Today, I must be the one to stop him."
The corner of Wei Honglian’s mouth twitched upward. It was a rather sinister smile.
"Do you really think someone like you can stop me?"
"......"
"What? Why aren’t you answering?"
Ma Dongpil remained silent, his eyes like rocks, glaring at her intently.
Wei Honglian’s expression grew colder.
"You’ve taken in someone who doesn’t know his place, Young Master."
"Why? Do you think he’s worse than you?"
"He’s the Demon Lord."
"I know, you brat."
"He’s not someone who would lose to a mere squad leader."
Seo Ryang chuckled as he filled Wei Honglian’s cup.
"He’s a squad leader. And he’s growing quickly."
"So that’s why he’s acting so arrogant. It seems he’s learned some decent martial arts recently."
"Aren’t you the one being too arrogant? In your current state, Dongpil definitely has the upper hand."
Wei Honglian’s lips twitched as she emptied her cup.
Seo Ryang filled it again.
"By the way, what’s with these snacks?"
"What’s wrong with them?"
"The flavor is too strong."
"Once you get used to it, there’s nothing more delicious."
"Honestly, your social skills are terrible. If you’re going to pour drinks, at least think about the other person, got it?"
Wei Honglian didn’t respond.
Seo Ryang, who had been staring at her, reached out his hand.
"I don’t have any money."
"Who said anything about money? Give me your hand."
"Huh?"
"Give me your hand."
"Why...?"
"Do you think I’m going to beat you up now? Or pull some trick? Just give me your hand, you stubborn brat."
Wei Honglian’s lips twitched again.
But after a moment, she extended her hand.
"Hmm."
Seo Ryang, holding her pulse point, frowned.
"What’s this? It doesn’t seem like an injury caused by me."
"Is it because of your condition?"
"Did you think I was going to hold your hand? You’re out of your mind."
"......"
"Hmm, it doesn’t seem like an injury from a strike. Ah, it’s from the cold energy of the prison."
"......"
Wei Honglian’s eyes flickered.
The concentration of demonic energy pouring into her through her pulse point was truly overwhelming.
It felt like a raging flame, scorching her arm in an instant.
But it was only for a moment.
The cold energy that had penetrated her organs evaporated completely. The Shadow Demon Art, being a yang-based technique, made it easier to handle.
As Wei Honglian’s complexion improved, Seo Ryang released her pulse point.
"I don’t have the habit of drinking with sick people."
"I won’t thank you."
"What kind of fool would expect gratitude from a lunatic like you?"
"......"
"Just drink."
As they silently emptied their cups, Seo Ryang was the first to speak.
"So, why did you come here right after being released without even resting?"
"You told me to come for a drink."
"That’s why I’m asking, why did you come without resting?"
"That’s my own business..."
"Hey."
"......"
"Have you done anything besides playing word games since you got here?"
"......"
"We’ve had enough to drink. Stop the nonsense and say what you need to say."
"I have nothing to say."
"You came all the way here with snacks in the middle of the night for nothing?"
"As I said earlier, it’s my way of showing sincerity."
The word "sincerity" came from Wei Honglian’s mouth.
It was a word that didn’t suit her at all. It was something she would never have said if the other person wasn’t someone like the Third Young Master.
Seo Ryang, who had been staring at her, nodded.
"Alright. If that’s how you feel, let’s just drink."
"I’m serious."
"I get it."
Seo Ryang grumbled as he emptied his cup.
Wei Honglian, who had been watching him without touching her chopsticks, asked, "Don’t you like the snacks?"
"Did you think I was lying?"
"Should I bring something else?"
...What’s this?
Seo Ryang blinked.
"Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?"
"Huh?"
"It feels like a completely different tone from your usual self, just now?"
"......"
Wei Honglian emptied her cup again. Despite the speed at which she was drinking, there was no sign of her being drunk.
Seo Ryang sighed.
"Damn, you really came just to drink, huh? Oh, we’ve already finished a bottle. Dongpil! Bring a couple more bottles."
Ma Dongpil left. Even as he walked out the door, his gaze remained fixed on Wei Honglian.
Wei Honglian snorted.
"Truly, his loyalty puts even Guan Yu to shame."
"You should learn a thing or two."
"Aren’t you uncomfortable?"
"Why would I be? He’s devoted to me."
"Isn’t that more than devotion? Isn’t it love?"
"Don’t push it. I’ll break your head."
"He’ll be a great help in future battles."
"Damn it. Why would I involve Dongpil in a fight..."
Seo Ryang suddenly stopped speaking, his eyes lighting up.
Wei Honglian shook the empty bottle.
"There’s a little left. Let me pour it for you."
"What do you mean?"
"......"
"Don’t beat around the bush. If you have something to say, say it clearly. Don’t waste time just drinking."
A hint of confusion appeared on Wei Honglian’s face.
"......Honestly, I’m conflicted."
"About what?"
"Whether I should tell you this, Young Master."
"You came here to drink before even sorting out your feelings? No, more importantly, what are you talking about?"
Wei Honglian didn’t answer, just stared at her cup.
This time, Seo Ryang waited for her. He could tell she was genuinely conflicted, not just putting on airs like before.
After a while, Ma Dongpil returned with two bottles of alcohol.
At the same time, his expression changed. He too sensed that the atmosphere in the room had shifted.
Seo Ryang took the bottles from Ma Dongpil and filled Wei Honglian’s cup.
Wei Honglian emptied it as if she had been waiting for this. Seo Ryang filled it again.
After emptying her cup three times in a row, Wei Honglian finally spoke.
"How much do you trust him?"
She pointed her chin at Ma Dongpil.
Seo Ryang answered seriously.
"We’ve saved each other’s lives several times."
It was a statement of absolute trust. Ma Dongpil bowed his head humbly.
Wei Honglian smiled.
It was a bitter smile, one that didn’t suit her face.
"That’s enviable."
"So what are you trying to say?"
"The True Demon Lord."
"......What?"
"The True Demon Lord is going to make a move."
The True Demon Lord.
One of the combat units during the civil war, its level was on par with the Demon Lord.
While the Demon Lord was more infamous, the True Demon Lord was a group with legitimacy.
It had existed since the founding of the Heavenly Demon Sect, a unit with a long history. Naturally, the pride of the demons who belonged to it was sky-high.
Seo Ryang’s eyes sparkled.
"So, the True Demon Lord was there too."
Wei Honglian nodded.
It was a fact not recorded in the latest relationship chart provided by So Yeonsim. It was a moment that confirmed that while the document was reliable, it wasn’t infallible.
"But why is he making a move now?"
"The True Demon Lord is a fox. He never does anything that would harm him."
"So he’s particularly cautious?"
"Yes."
"And such a person is suddenly making a move? Does he want something?"
"Me."
"......?"
"There are times when even someone as cautious as him acts without thinking. Most of those times are because of me."
"Why? Does he like you or something? That’s a strange taste."
"He likes me enough to want to kill me."
It meant their relationship was extremely bad. Seo Ryang tilted his head.
"I don’t care how you ended up like that. What I’m curious about is why he’s making a move now..."
"......"
"Don’t tell me he’s firmly sided with the Fourth?"
"It seems he’s been caught by the Fourth Young Master."
"What’s that?"
"I don’t know either. It’s not certain. But after clashing with him so many times, I can tell just by looking at his face. He’s definitely been caught by the Fourth Young Master."
"So you’re saying that while the True Demon Lord is the one moving, it’s the Fourth who’s pulling the strings."
"In the end, it’s the Fourth Young Master who’s moving."
Seo Ryang smiled.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"It’s a gesture of gratitude."
"......"
"And I think it’s okay to join hands with you, Young Master. After all, it seems like you want to take down the Fourth Young Master too, don’t you?"
Ma Dongpil’s eyes narrowed. Despite her casual tone, the audacity to suggest such a thing to the Young Master was truly brazen.
But Seo Ryang’s smile remained bright.
He filled Wei Honglian’s cup.
"So, you’re suggesting a temporary alliance?"
"You can back out if you want. I’ve been fighting alone just fine until now."
"Sorry, but I’m not the type to pass up something interesting. Besides, it seems like you want to sever the chain of evil once and for all, don’t you?"
"......That’s right."
The two raised their cups.
"Can you handle the True Demon Lord?"
"I’ll make sure to take him down before you bring down the Fourth Young Master. I’ve been itching to deal with him anyway, so this works out."
"I like your confidence."
Clink!
Their cups clinked.
After emptying his cup, Seo Ryang grinned at Ma Dongpil.
"You said it reminded you of when you first saw the Green Candle, right?"
"......Yes."
"Thought it was all over, but the main event is still ahead. Want to join in?"
"Of course."
Seo Ryang pointed to the side.
"Bring another cup."
"He went to Seo Ryang’s place?"
"That’s right."
Hong Weimen chuckled.
"He’s really beyond common sense. I thought he was turning himself in, but then suddenly attempted murder? And he didn’t even touch me."
"Maybe he was upholding his principles."
"And he protected his subordinates too. He’s quite thorough in that regard."
Shin Hwi spoke with a stern face.
"But I don’t think it ends there. He’s unpredictable, but the Demon Lord isn’t the type to act so recklessly."
"True."
"Yet he turned himself in to the Punishment Hall, targeting the Third Young Master... It seems there was some kind of deal between him and the Third Young Master."
"Of course. After all, it was Seo Ryang’s testimony that got him acquitted. They must have coordinated beforehand."
"But if he was going to be released anyway, why bother..."
"He saved his subordinates and also implicated the Jamiro faction. And he couldn’t ignore me either."
"Ah! Then for the Demon Lord, the Punishment Hall must have been the safest place from all threats."
"Exactly. The problem is we don’t know what the deal was."
Hong Weimen, deep in thought, scratched his head.
"It’s not hard to guess, but the problem is we don’t have anything concrete."
"......"
"In times like this, poking around with a good toy is the best approach."
Shin Hwi asked cautiously, "Are you planning to use the True Demon Lord?"
"Of course. That guy has stirred up the Demon Lord more than once."
"That’s true, but..."
"Overthinking will just waste time and get us nowhere. Now’s the time to act, not to ponder."
Hong Weimen filled his pipe with tobacco.
The tobacco was a deeper purple than before.
"Send a message to the True Demon Lord."